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Business Plan CompetitionDirect fundingNo equityVerified

Pirates Pitch Startup Competition

Also known as: Pirates Pitch, Seton Hall Pirates Pitch

Seton Hall University · South Orange, NJ

See every program at Seton Hall UniversityFind your best fit

Quick fit check

  • Offers direct funding
  • No equity required
  • Currently active
  • Verified by research

Key numbers

Funding range

$500 – $8,000

Non Dilutive Grant

Equity

None

Application

Annual

Campus Wide

Last activity

2026-04

High confidence

Known startups and winners

Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.

See every startup

Emerald Editor

$8,000

prize won

Seton Hall University

1st placeCompetition winner

AI video editing platform. 2026 Seton Hall Pirates Pitch first-place winner ($8K) founded by Will Martin.

MacroChef

$3,000

prize won

Seton Hall University

3rd placeCompetition winner

2026 Seton Hall Pirates Pitch third place ($3,000); AI nutrition cooking app.

PURE

$4,500

prize won

Seton Hall University

2nd placeCompetition winner

2026 Seton Hall Pirates Pitch second place ($4,500).

Pirates Pitch Startup Competition

Program Type

business-plan-competition

Institutional Scope

Seton Hall University, Stillman School of Business. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students.

Description

Annual campus-wide startup pitch competition, hosted by the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 16th annual in 2026. Six finalist teams compete for $16,000 in seed funding after a multi-month process of workshops, mentoring, and pitch coaching. Finalists also receive pro bono legal services from OGC Outside General Counsel Solutions and automatic eligibility for the Pirates LaunchPad Summer Accelerator (additional $2,000 seed funding per venture). Judged by alumni entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

Key Details

Detail Value
Annual since ~2010 (16th in 2026)
Total prizes $16,000
1st place $8,000 + Audience Choice $500
2nd place $4,500
3rd place $3,000
2026 winner Will Martin — Emerald Editor (AI video editing)
Finalists 6 teams selected each year

Resources Provided

  • Cash prizes ($8K/$4.5K/$3K/$500)
  • Pro bono legal services
  • LaunchPad Summer Accelerator entry (up to $2K additional)
  • Mentorship and workshops throughout spring semester

Funding Details

$16,000 total prize pool. $8,000 first place. All non-dilutive grants. Additional $2,000 per venture through LaunchPad.

Curriculum / Structure

Spring cycle: register by early March → workshops and mentoring → 6 finalists selected → final competition in early April at University Center Theatre.

Eligibility

All Seton Hall University undergraduate and graduate students. Teams of 1-6 members.

Related Programs

Additional research notesShow